Page 64 of Rules for Heiresses
“Oh, my sweet innocent I have so many wonderful things to teach you,” he said, tilting her chin up for a quick kiss. “Wait until we do it outsideandin broad daylight.”
* * *
A sated and intensely curious Ravenna goggled at him, unable to grasp that men and women coupled in public. “You’re jesting with me.”
“I look forward to corrupting you anywhere and anytime you let me, Your Grace.”
“But how?” she blurted out and then flushed. He must think her impossibly naive, though she could not fathom how they could do this outside or in the ocean.
Courtland sat her up, the cloth briskly moving over her limp body. “Sitting, like this,” he said. “Perhaps on a bench in the arbor with you straddling me, much as you are now.” His hands moved down each leg, past the bend of her knee to her sensitive calves. “Or standing, with these gorgeous limbs wrapped around my waist while I take you up against a tree or a garden wall.”
She blinked, the lewd images he was painting assaulting her. The sailors had all nattered on about the act itself, not really places, so she’d only imagined it occurring in their private berths, behind closed doors, in the dead of night. The thought of Courtland taking her in such a bold manner had her body tightening with need again.
Goodness, she was turning into a wanton.
“Here, let me,” she said, taking the cloth from him.
Ravenna returned his care in silence, marveling at the breadth of his shoulders that nearly dwarfed the large tub, and the bronzed expanse of wet skin. She had the sudden urge to lick the place where his neck met his collarbone so she did. That wasn’t nearly enough so she worked her way up to his clean-shaven jaw. A part of her missed the thick stubble. He’d obviously been groomed to within an inch of his life by a dedicated Peabody. Ravenna snorted a giggle—the poor valet must have been beside himself with joy.
She bit Courtland’s chin, grazing her questing fingertips over his skin. “I liked your whiskers.”
“Did you?”
Heat filled her cheeks. “I had such depraved thoughts.”
“Tell me about them.”
Ravenna hid her hot face in the crook of his neck. “I imagined how they would feel between my thighs.”
She feltthatpart of him jerk to life beneath her at the bald admission.
“Already?” she asked on a breathy sigh.
“Always around you, it seems.” She gave a soft shiver, and he peered down at her. “Shall I refill the tub with more hot water, my duchess?”
Torn, Ravenna bit her lip. While she wanted nothing more than to enjoy the pleasures of her husband’s touch and body in the bath, the very pleasant interlude they’d shared didn’t change the fact that she was still cross with him. Or that they needed to clear the air.
“As tempting as the thought is, we need to talk.” With reluctance, she lifted herself out of the cooling water and reached for a nearby length of toweling.
Unfathomable eyes watched her as she dried herself and pulled her night rail over her head. It wasn’t much of a covering, but it was better than being naked, especially when the look in his gaze made her want to do unspeakable things. She folded her arms over her chest and took a seat in the chair. With a long-suffering look, Courtland followed her example and stepped out of the bath. Despite her very satisfied needs, Ravenna couldn’t help gawking.
Water cascaded from his shoulders, all the way down the stacked muscles of his back to the lean indents at the base of his spine. The muscles in his bottom flexed as he bent to dry himself, giving her an unobstructed view of the impressive part of him that had brought her to such bliss. Even at half-mast, it made her breath hitch and a fresh surge of arousal course through her veins. Ravenna blushed and busied herself with the ribbons on the edge of her night rail. Licking his very delicious frame from head to toe was not an option.
She’d come to find him because she hadn’t been able to sleep, and while their passionate joining had taken the edge off, the mountain between them would only grow. She waited until she heard the rustle of clothing and groaned when she saw him leaning against the wall. The black silk robe he’d donned hung loose and barely covered his front.
“Don’t you have a nightshirt?” she asked, averting her eyes from the bronze vee of his chest and the dark hair that arrowed downward to more interesting pastures.
“I sleep in the nude.”
Ravenna swallowed as her cheeks went hot. She’d walked right into that one. Well, now she hadthatimage to contend with when she was in her own bed. She would simply have to dress him in nightclothes in her dreams. Maybe even full evening wear, just to be safe…and a greatcoat. Perhaps two.
She bit her lip hard and cleared her throat. “I know you’re afraid for me with Sommers, but I will be in good hands. Even if I found myself at a disadvantage where I couldn’t take care of myself, neither you, nor Embry, or even Waterstone would let something happen to me.”
“Sommers is not a good man.”
She nodded. “I know. But he’s also smart. If you go after him too obviously, he will see through the ruse and you’ll never catch him. This is how I can help. He’s the sort of man who thinks women are only good for the use of their bodies, not their minds. If I can steer him to use your ship, chances are he will think it’s his own idea.”
Ravenna risked a look at her husband’s expression. He seemed conflicted, his features twisted in some sort of visible distress, but he was quiet. He was thinking and when his reply came, it was quiet. “If something happens to you…”
